Teen jailed for death of Samuel Baker, Sheffield

Date published: 11 October 2018 14:39

Dated: 11 October 2018 15:38:53

A teenager who stabbed a young boy in the Lowedges area of Sheffield has today been jailed for manslaughter.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to stand trial for the murder of Samuel Baker at the beginning of the month but entered a guilty plea to manslaughter at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday 3 October.

He has been remanded in custody ahead of being jailed today for two years and eight months.

Samuel Baker, 15, was found lying on some grass near to Lowedges Road on the evening of Thursday 24 May, bleeding heavily from his chest. Despite efforts from members of the public at the scene trying to help him, and the ambulance service who took him to hospital, he sadly died just one hour later as a result of his injuries.

A murder investigation was launched and extensive enquiries began to recover evidence, as Detective Chief Inspector Dave Stopford, the Senior Investigating Officer, explains: “Within less than 24 hours the defendant had handed himself into police, telling officers he had been involved in a fight with Baker and had hit him with a knife he said Baker had been carrying.

“He was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been remanded into custody ever since.

“Mr Baker had been riding his bike through the area when it is thought he bumped into the defendant and they got into a fight, resulting in Mr Baker being stabbed twice, once in his chest and once to his side.

“While several knives were recovered in the area in the days after Mr Bakers death, the weapon used to fatally stab him was never found.

“I’m pleased that the defendant has admitted fatally injuring Mr Baker, which can hopefully provide some closure to his family and friends.

“This incident resulted in another tragic loss of a young life as a result of the use of a knife and has left a family devastated and a community scared and in shock.

“Sadly, Mr Baker’s death also highlights that if you carry a weapon, you increase the likelihood of it being used against you, which is tragically all too apparent in this case.

“Knife crime has life-changing consequences, for everyone involved. The defendant in this case has robbed a family of their son, brother and friend and having this on his criminal record will have a massive impact on his future.

“We are working incredibly hard, alongside an extensive number of partner agencies, to educate young people in South Yorkshire and to look at how everyone can work to prevent and tackle knife crime.

“We can only do this with your help though. It is so important that people speak to us, so that we can apprehend and prosecute those responsible. A guilty plea and today’s sentencing can never bring back Mr Baker and my thoughts are with his family and friends on this incredibly difficult day.”

Mr Baker’s family have issued a statement following the conclusion of the case. They said: “On behalf of the family, nothing can bring back Samuel’s life or rectify the cowardly actions that were carried out.

“We are satisfied that the person responsible is in custody and progress has been made pertaining to the case.

“Samuel’s family and friends can try to begin the healing process now and remember who he was, a caring, talented brother, uncle and son.”